4th of pie: pie pops & DIY basket tutorial {+ free download}

It’s the 4th of Pie!… eh, er, I mean, July! We’re talkin’ Pie Pops baby! What’s an Independence Day without some traditional American Apple Pie?

Every year our neighborhood throws a block party where everyone brings something to the table. Since you all know about my long lasting relationship with pie, its only natural that I find a way to incorporate it in everything. Not everyone will take the time to sit down and enjoy a delicious piece of pie (like me), especially when you’re an 8 year old kid running around with a sparkler in your hand (not that I condone running with fireworks). So, I thought I would make the dessert experience a little bit more accessible… and way cuter! This way, the kids can run around with pie in their hands, not fireworks. See how I redeemed myself there? Keep reading for a step-by-step Pie Pop Recipe and basket tutorial! {free download at the bottom!}

 Pie Crust

Yield: 20 pie pops

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) chilled butter, cut into small pieces
  • 5 to 6 tbsp cold water
  1. In bowl, mix flour and salt together with fork
  2. In Food Processor, mix in butter until mixture crumbles
  3. Slowly add water and mix with fork until mixture starts to take dough form. Split dough into 2 equal portions, roll into ball shapes, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Apple Filling

Yield: 1 regular pie or 40 pie pops (cut in half if desired)

  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 7 cups peeled, cored and chopped apples (granny smith & gala style)
  • 1 tbsp butter
  1. Combine all ingredients into mixing bowl. Transfer to medium saucepan.
  2. Over medium heat, cook mixture, stirring often for about 20 minutes or until apples are soft enough to cut with fork.
  3. Remove from heat, let cool. Use or refrigerate until later use.

Making the Pie Pops!
Recipe yields 12 pie pops

Ingredients:

  • Pie Crust (see recipe, will yield 20 pops)
  • Apple Pie Filling (see recipe, recipe is enough for one pie – cut in half for 20 pie pops)
  • 1 Egg White
  • Long lollipop sticks
  1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
  2. Roll pie crust dough out onto floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness
  3. Using a 2 ¾ – 3 inch round biscuit cutter (or cookie cutter), cut out mini pie crusts. Place on baking sheet lined with silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
  4. Place ½ tbsp of apple pie filling onto center of mini pie crust.
  5. Place lollipop stick onto center of pie with top of stick near (but not at) the edge of crust.
  6. Place second mini crust on top of filling and lollipop stick. Align edges with bottom crust.
  7. Using a fork, crimp edges of crust to seal them together. Press extra firm around stick base to seal it.
  8. Brush egg white on top of pie pop, covering majority of crust.
  9. Repeat steps until desired amount of pops are made.
  10. Bake for 15 minutes or until pops are golden brown.
  11. Remove from oven and let cool. Serve and enjoy!

Pie Pop Basket

Materials:

  • Any Wicker or wooden basket with handle
  • Red, white or blue Ric-Rac (or ribbon of your choice)
  • Hot Glue
  • Floral Foam, Oasis, or Styrofoam
  • Straw or paper filler, shredded
  • Napkins (paper or fabric works) for lining.
  1. Line your basket with napkins. This doesn’t have to be perfect, just line inside so that color shows through holes in basket.
  2. Fill basket with blocks of floral foam. You may need to cut pieces to fill entire basket.
  3. Using hot glue gun, decorate basket with ric-rac ribbon. We glued around edge of basket and along handle. Feel free to add any type of décor you wish!
  4. Once all glue is dry, fill top of basket with your shredded filler. Be sure to cover any visible floral foam.
  5. Stick pie pops into basket as desired. Be sure to insert sticks far enough down so that pie pops don’t wobble.
  6. Enjoy at home or be the center star of your block party’s dessert table!

Don’t forget to get your free 4th of Pie Printable Download!

Special thanks to hgtv.com for featuring our Pie Pop recipe and Block party Picnic Basket!